High score recorder



Dec. 23, 1941. H. E. WILLIAMS Erm.

HIGH SCORERECORDER Filed April 4. 1940 INVENT 0R15` Hasn Saou LMPs ARrWhL/AMS l I l :dw/7c f Il i Pnieniod non. 23, l194i f man scomi lilicoitn'iiR/g` i nam E. winiams and Lyndon A. Durant,

" Chicago, lll,

Apiiiinniion Api-ii 4,194o, fserini No; 327,766' f v' A s claims. `(ci. 11i-384) 'I'his invention relates to improvements in electrically operated score indicating, registering and recording means for use in amusement apparatus, one of the principal objects being the provision of high score recording means arranged so as to give an indication of the highest score attained in any previous playing of a game.

Viewed from another aspect, it is an object of the invention to provide a score indicating means including a score indicating switch coacting with a high score registering switch in such manner that the high score switch is advanced to indicate a new high score each time the regular score switch exceeds any previously achieved score.

A more particular object is the provision o t an ordinary score indicating or registering stepping switch for coacting withi'a,` high score indi-l cating or registeringswitch, together with intermediate linking switch opel-ably controlled by the ordinary score switch, which isA adapted'to be operated by a switch actuated as a result of playing a game, so that the first score registered by the ordinary score switch in playing the iirst game of a series will be stored in the high score registering switch, and in order to advance the 1 showing the.' high score switch;

latter to indicate a new high score it is necessary that the ordinary score switch be advanced in excess of any previously achieved score.

Yet another object is the combination of `two or more rotary stepping switches 'arranged for coaxially stepping operation with a first 'switch adapted to be stepped from an initialpositlon each time a game is played, and a second stepping switch adapted to be continuously advanced under the control of or in cooperation withl the first switch, provided each successive operation` oi' the latter from initial' condition produces an advance in excess of any previous advance. The foregoing specific arrangement of the stepping switches is further characterized by the fact that the stepping switches are electrically impulsed and there is included in the combination an/ intermediate linking switch moved with the second stepping switch relative to an actuating element which is in turn moved bythe iirst stepping switch, the arrangement being such that the linking switch must be closed lirst by operation of the first stepping switch before the second stepping switch can be actuated, the linking switch being advanced to a new position by each successive operation of the first stepping switch from its initial position, provided anyv subsequent advance of the rst stepping switch is able for thepurpose-of actuatingthe s'ecox iiifstep-v ringswih. Other obiects, 'advantages and novel v'aspectsv of the inventionreside'incertain details of con- Y struction as well asv the cooperative relationship ofthe component partsnot lthe illustrative bodiment described `hereir'iafter inlyiew'offthe annexed drawing, in which:

Fig. lis a vertical cross section throughthe I offfif coaxially arranged `stepping switches;

Fis. 2 isv a section on' the line 2,2

3 is a circuit diagram;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view to reduced scale of a modified form of linking switch.)

The invention in best described in its :broader aspects in view of the circuit diagram o! Fig. 3, wherein the score control .switching mechanism has been arranged for control by a game 'switchv n I0 arranged on a ball playing board I I for actui' ation by a game instrumentality such. .as aball f againstgswitch lll'andvclosea scoring circuit.. i f 1 i2.whi'ch is adapted to gravitate Associated with' .the game -are fag.plural ity oi' 'game s'corelampsgenerally indicated ait-I3,y these vlamps being energized successively.'-byfoperation' vof a switchy or'switcheslikethegame11switcli`- i0,

to give an immediateindication: -theplayerof his score. The gamescore terminal of each lamp is connected toone-oithe contante isg'ofn nist' or rordinary gamegoma v switch oithe vs tepbystep rotary variety which includes a wiping'contact i6 connected to ground to complet'eia circuit withfthe,reiriaining ground-` v ed terminal of -the Abatte'rvor' power. supply for in excess of a previous advance thereof from y initiai position to render the linking switch operany of the g'amel score lamps-whenthe wiping contact I Sis stepped successivelydnto engag'ement with the severallampjb'ank ontacts i5.- i

Thev stepping operation .iif-y thef-ordina'ry or game score switch is effected through the step by step movement of a cooperating-ratchetydisc l1 which is advanced in steps froman initial position by reciprocation of Aa driving-' pawl I8' and theassociated plunger lilo! a'score'switch solenoid-20.- Solenoid 2|l'is intermittently irnpulsed through its own normally closed breaker,

switch 2| and a conductor '2,2v whichisgrounded bythe game switchy I 0 whenever the-playery scores, as by causing ball I2 tofe'ngage and closethe game switch. Solenoid 20 is steppedone or" more successive times depending on 'the .duration- 1 of the contact of the baujuiionfsmtch' iig Wiih-` innips' aohfhnte jofiheirf terminals c'sonnected, to; aj' common: battery `or 'power supply conductor I #,fwhile the remaining vasoman energization of solenoid 2li will cause the ratchet disc I1 to advance one step. this movement bein g communicated through a linkage indicated by the dash-dot line to the wiper il which is advanced a corresponding amount from an initial position. The ratchet I1 is held in advanced pomechanism. The high score wiper is advanced in stepsvby a ratchet mechanism including a ratchet disc 43 stepped by a pawl 44 reciprocated by a solenoid 45 and adapted to be reset from any advanced position upon retraction of its locking pawl 43 responsive to energization of a cooperating reset coil 4l through a conductor 43 and the proprietary switch 32 and by way of the conductor 23' to the battery 30. The reset- 1Q ting o1' the ratchet 43 follows the resetting of sition during each game by action of a pawl 23 control switch 25 adapted to be operated by the player in Aconjunction with a master control de- 'vice such as a coin chute operating member 28,

which the player must operate at th'e beginning of each new game. Switch 25 connects ground to one terminal 21 of the reset solenoid 24, the other terminal of which is connected by a conductor 2l through a. supervisory switch 29 to one side of the battery or power source 30. Switch 29 is normally held open by a pin 3| on ratchet disc I1 when the latter is in its initial position, the purpose oi this being to renderthe master switch 25 ineffective and avoid useless energization of the -reset solenoid 24 in the event the game score switch is already in normal or initial position at the time the player approaches the game. Also arranged to reset the score stepping switch is a proprietary control switch 32 adapted to be operated by a push'button 33 conveniently concealed about the -game in a place known only to the proprietor, this switch being connected through a selecting. switch '34 to battery through the conductor 23 and supervisory switchv 29, the arrangement being such J that the proprietor may close switch 32 by pushing button 33 to energize solenoid 24'and` release the ratchet I'I for restoration by a spring means ill' associated therewith in accordance with con- 'structions well known to those skilled' in the w the remainingcontact 64 of the linking switch which is connected by a vconductor 83 to the art. As in the-case of the' master switch 25 op'- v erable by the player, theprop'rietary switch 32 is rendered ineilectiveby the supervisory switch 23 .in the event .the stepping switch, andvparvticularly th'e ratchet disc I'I, is already in its initial position.-

Thus, the player.- as a result of playing the game to` actuate the game switch .or switches i0, will cause the stepping switch to advance -the wiper I6 and successively Venergize the score 'I indlcatinglamps I3. In order to indicate to each succeeding. player the Ahighest score achieved in any preceding play.- there is included in the score control'circuit a high score stepping switch idensteps relative to a seriesoiflamp contacts 4| each connected to one of :acorresponding series of vhigh score lamps 42 4to energize lthe latter upon advancing movement' of the wiper.- vThe the score ratchet I1 for. .reasons tobecome more apparent later.

' The high score stepping switch solenoid 45 has oneof its terminals connected to the common battery or power conductor I4 and its remaining terminal connected by a conductor 49 to a normally open contact 3| on a time delay switch generally indicated at I0. Closing of the latter switch connects ground through a conductor 52 to the solenoid, thus energizing the latter. The time .delay switch is electrically operated by a slow-releasing solenoid 53, the plunger of which pivots an arm 54 to close the spring contacts of switch 50. Solenoid 53 has one of its terminals connected to the common power conductor I4 and its other terminal connected to a normally closed breaker switch l5, similar to the breaker switch 2| heretofore explained. This breaker switch 55 opens upon movement oi the pawl mechanism 44 whenever the switch is stepped, this breaker switch being connected by a conductor 56 to a contact spring 51 on the time delay switch B0 for connection to ground through contact 32 to provide a momentary locking circuit for the slow-releasing solenoid 33 when the same has been energized to close the switch lll and the several contacts thereof upon the last or high score step, that is on the step during which the two stepping mechanisms became equalized in a manner lat- .er to be described. One of the features of the invention resides in -theprovision ofv an inter- Amediate linking switch', one terminal contact element 3| of whichis connected to a contact,`

ring B2 on the ratchet disc 43 for engagement with a wiping contact 63 connected by conductor y 5l toa breaker switch 55. ,A laterally extending pinV I4 carried by the contact I l is adapted to engage the contact element 3| and constitutes grouniien'l wiper iI'of the nrst vor'v game score `stepping switch'. Linking@` switch contacts 3l and Il ...are-normally open, but as soon as lthey breaker switch sito' the slow-releasing solenoid v 53'for .the purposeof'energizing the high score l stepping Vsolenoid 45 through the time delay u being mounted for movement out of operative high score stepping switch. is advancedunde'r the control of'thescore stepping vswitch andadlp vances ,a number :of steps; determined byfthe-po- 'sition of` the `wiper fitfbutgwhol independent of the stepping loperatlmz-'oi Athe score stepping!! playing -of the next game, the game score switch 4engagement with the game score switch eachtime the high score switch is energized tor ad- -vancement to a new high score position. Be-

i'ore the linking switch can be closed upon a are "closed, groundis connected through'A they must be advanced one step beyond its previ position oi advance in the preceding game, l

whereupon the high score stepping switch will likewise be advanced one additional step in xcess of the previous high score indicating position, such additional or subsequent advance of the high score switch to its new position opening the intermediate linking switch `8I-84, the new score being appropriately indicated by illumination of one of the lamps 42 as determined by the position to which wiper 40 has been advanced by the high score stepping ratchet mechanism.

This locking circuit is broken by the breaker switch 55 as soon as the high' score solenoid 45 pulls up. However, since it is of the slow-to-release type. the plunger of solenoid 53 is not immediately dropped and switch 50 is momentarily held closed to assure a proper energization of the stepping solenoid 45. Ordinarily the breaker or interrupter switch 55, functioning as does the breaker switch 2| of the score unit, would be suilcient to accomplish a step-by-step rotation pin I4 as was heretofore explained (Fig. 1; also) Projecting from the grounded wiper the ilrst Stepping switch,

Th'e two stepping switches are arranged in I v side by side or tandem relation, as shown in Fig.

of the ratchet wheel 43 through the solenoid 45 and its associated parts. However, since the operation of the high score unit depends upon the score unit and is conditioned for operation by the latter through the link switch (5I-64, it is apparent that ii the interrupter switch 55 were slightly out of adjustment, the ratchet wheel 43 would not be advanced suiliciently to complete a full step of the latter, and by reason thereof the solenoid 45 would be intermittently operated indefinitely without eiecting an advance of the ratchet 43. the solenoid 20 thereof is dependent for its operation upon the momentary closing of the switch III by a ball; there being no danger of a constant intermittent operation of such solenoid 20 it has been found that the breaker switch 2| is sumcient, and that no time delay need be ernployed in its circuit. It is also to be noted'that in order to assure a nal step of the ratchet 43, that is the step required to sever connection between the contact element 6I and the contact pin 64, there is required some means for maintaining the electrical circuit to the solenoid 45. It will be noted that at that particular moment the circuit to ground through th'e wiping contact 63 will be broken at the contacts 6I-64 before a complete step is made by the ratchet 43, but that by reason of a ground connection established through these contacts 6I--4 the time delay relay 53 will be initially operated and thus the ground circuit positively established through the locking switch 51 prior to the time In the case of the score unit quent player.

that circuit is broken through the breaker switch v 55, otherwise the pawl 44 of the solenoid 45 would merely rock back and forth upon the opening and closing of the breaker switch 55 without advancing the ratchet 43 a full step thereby defeating the purpose of the stepping mechanism` It is therefore seen that the locking circuit 51 acts as an intermediate switch which assures energization of the solenoid 45 for a duration of time suiilcient to make a full step on the ratchet 43 despite the fact that the contacts 6I-54 become severed prior to that complete step.

In Fig. 2 is shown, in elevation, the intermediate linking switch mounted for movement with" the ratchet disc 43 of the high score stepping switch. The contact 5I is preferably a leaf spring mounted on a bracket 6Ia and connected by a jumper SIb to the wiper plate 62. The re- 1, so that the stepping ratchets I1 and 43 thereof are aligned for coaxial movement. When both ratchet discs are in initial position. the contact pin 64 is one step removed from being in circuit closing engagement-with the other intermediate linking switch contact 5I, audit is therefore necessary to move the rst or score switch ratchet disc I1 one step to bring pin 64 into contact with' the spring BI in order to close an energizing circuit to eiiect a corresponding advance oi the high score stepping switch. As soon as the latter switch steps once, the contact spring 6I is removed a distance of one step from engagement with pin 54. vIi now the first or score stepping switch be returned to initial position, it `will be'necessary upon the next play to step this switch twice before the intermediate link-- ing switch contacts `6I and 64 can again be closed for a repetition of the foregoing operations to advance the high score switch to a new high score indicating position. From this it will be apparent that it is necessary for the player to cause the ordinary score indicating switch to advance at least one step beyond the position occupied thereby in any preceding play if the high score indicating switch is to be advanced one or more steps to a new position.

Each time the game is released for play by the patron in operating the master control means or coin chute: 23 and th'e associated master switch 25, the game score switch is restored to an initial zero position in which none of the lamps I3 will be illuminated. However, one of the high score indicating lamps presumably will be illuminated to apprise the player of the score previously set up by him or some preceding player and to provide an objective and an incentive to achieve that objective and set up a new one.

It will have been observed that high score switch is not restored to a zero position each time the regular score switch is restored, since the high score switch must, o! course, be leftV in its newly advanced positions after each play if it is to store or register any previously attained high score and indicate the same to the subse- However, the proprietor may restore the high score switch to a zero position at any time arbitrarily` or when the switch has reached the limit of its'advanced movement unless the switch be arranged for continuous unidirectional motion, which it may be within the f intent and scope of this disclosure. To this end, the proprietor, after having restored th'e game score ratchet disc I1 to initial or zero position, has merely to turn the selecting switch 34 to connect conductor 28' with conductor 48, thereby energizing the high score reset coil 41. The ratchet I1 must be returned to zero position rst otherwise the linking switch 5I-54 will be effected to operate the solenoid 45.

In Fig. 4 th'ere is shown a modiiied arrangement of the linking switch characterized by the fact' that there is an additional switch blade 15 arranged in normally open circuit relationship with the contact 5I and positioned to be engaged by the pin 54 for movement into closed circuit engagement with contact 5I to energize the time delay relay solenoid 53, the switch blade 15 prefarm I B en since the circuit arrangement preferably includes a conventional time switch 'I2 in the power circuit to disconnect the power source after a predetermined lapseof time whether the player has iinished his game or not. 'I'his time switch 12 is oi a conventional and well-known structure and is set into operation upon inward movement of th'e coin chute 26 by engagement with the latter, and renders the circuit from the battery to ground complete for a predetermined lapse of time.

The various advantages and objects of the invention may be accomplished by modications oi' the particular embodiment speciiically described herein, and it is intended that the appended claims shall include all equivalent arrangements fairly coming within their call.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In an amusement apparatus including a game switch arranged to be operated as an incident to the operation of said apparatus, score registering means comprising, in combination, an electrically operated game score switch of the type which moves step by step from a starting position to4 eilect circuit connections, indicating means connected to be energized by said game score switch, means for returning said game score vswitch to a starting condition with each playing of a game, and means .-for indicating the highest score indicated by said game score switch in a given series of operations thereof from said starting condition, said last-mentioned means including an electrically operated high score stepping switch and an intermediate linking switch moved thereby relative to said game score switch and cooperating wii:h-\the latter to actuate the high score switch whenever the game score switch moves an amount/from starting condition which is in excess of the movement thereof in a previous advance from starting condition..

2. In a score registering mechanism, in combination, a rotary stepping switch adapted to be moved step by step from -a starting position in indicating a score, means on said stepping switch for indicating a score, a second stepping switch mounted to step coaxially of the rst switch, means on said second stepping switch for registering a high score, electrically operated means for stepping the second switch, a linking switch mounted/ for movement with a rotary moving part of the second switch Opposite a coaxially displaced part of the rst switch, said linking switch being connected for operation to energize the second 'stepping switch, and a link switch operating member mounted for movement with a rotary moving part on the iirst switch and arranged to operate thelinking switch whenever the iirst stepping switch is moved a sumcient distance from a starting position to operatively engage the linking switch, said second switch being stepped by operation of the linking switch erably' being grounded on the shaft of ratchet.

to move the latter out oi operative engagement with said operating member, and means for returning said'ilrst stepping switch to said starting position.

3. In a score switching mechanism. rotary stepping switches including coaxialiy moving parts, means i'or stepping a first one of said switches from a starting position, score indicating means arranged to be eiected by the stepping of said switch to indicate a score, means for returning said switchA to startingposition, electrically operated means for stepping a second one of said switches in the same direction as said first switch, indicating means associated with said second switch and adapted to indicate a high score, and

an operating link switch connected for opera.

tion to energize said operating means forthe second stepping switch and mounted to move' with one of' the coaxially moving parts of one of the stepping switches for rotary displacement with respect to one of the coaxially moving parts of another stepping switch and in a direction away from said starting position, and an operating member for said link switch mounted for rotary displacement with respect to the latter on a coaxially moving part on the other one of said stepping switches such that movement of the latter switch different amounts from said starting position will cause said operating member to be advanced into operative engagement with-the link switch to actuate the latter and cause movement of the other stepping switch to withdraw the link switch from operating engagement with said operative member.

4. In a score control switch apparatus, electrically -operated stepping switches arranged to step in the same direction from a starting position, each o! said stepping switches having means for indicating a score commensurate with the number of steps made, a. link switch mounted for movement with one of said stepping switches, link switch operating means mounted for movement with the other stepping switch, said other stepping switch being movable from starting p0- sition to' engage and actuate said link switch, said link switch being connected for actuation to energize the stepping switch with which it is movably associated, the arrangement being such that said -rst stepping switch will have to be stepped increasing amounts from starting position with each successive stepping operation thereof away from said position in order to engage and actuate said link switch.

5. Switch means for use in a game apparatus to register the highest` score achieved in a series oi' `successively played games, said mechanism including a pair of switching devices progressively movable in the same direction from a starting position, electrically energized means for moving said switching devices, means arranged to move with each of said switching devicesto indicate a score and coacting link switch means mounted for movement each with respect to the other on said switching devices and including a switch element adapted to energize the second one of said devices when the iirst device is moved from a starting pos.tion whereby to move said second device continuously by amounts corresponding to the greatest movement of said iirst device from starting position during a succession of operations thereof.

6. In a score register mechanism, in combination, a rotary stepping switch adapted to be moved step by step from a starting position in effecting score indicating connections, means arranged in circuit with said connections to indi-v cate a score, a second stepping switch mounted to step coaxially of the rst switch, high score indicating means energized by said second stepping switch, electrically operated means for stepping said second switch, and means providing a linking switch including a contact element mounted for movement with a rotary moving part of the second switch, and a companion contact element mounted for rotary displacement on the rst stepping switch coaxially of the movement of said mst-mentioned contact element, said first-mentioned contact element and said companion contact element being connected to close an energizing circuit when in contact with each other to energize said electrically operated means for stepping the second switch, stepping action of said second stepping switch withdrawing said first-mentioned contact element from circuit closing engagement with said companion contact element, means for restoring said rstmentioned stepping switch to starting position, whereby said first stepping switch must be stepped an increasing number of times after each restoration to starting position in order to effect movement of the second stepping switch to a newly advanced position.

HARRY E. WILLIAMS.

LYNDON A. DURANT. 

